Sanchin Is It Dangerous To Practice?

All

This is possibly from misinformation, I read somewhere a while back but I never got to ask the question A brief discription follows:-

"Sanchin translates as "3 Battles" or "3 Conflicts". This has many meanings. First it refers to the struggle to control the body under physical fatigue. With fatigue the mind begins to lose focus and thus the spirit begins to diminsh as well. Therefore Sanchin develops discipline, determination, focus, perserverance and other mental attributes. The Chinese refer to this as Shen (spirit), Shin (mind) and Li (body). Another possible interpretation refers to the "Three Burners" of the body as decribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

One of two "heishu " Kata of Goju-Ryu, Sanchin is probably the most misunderstood Kata in all of Karate. In contrast, it is probably the single most valuable training exercise in Goju-Ryu. Like the other Kata of Goju-Ryu, Sanchin ( Samm Chien in Chinese) can be found in several Chinese arts, particulary the southern styles including four styles of Crane Boxing, Dragon Boxing, Tiger Boxing, Lion Boxing, Dog or Ground Boxing and Monk Fist. Sanchin has such aspects as deep, diaphramatic breathing found in many internal arts as well as external attributes like mechanical alignment and muscular strength.

Because many martial artists have little or no understanding of the true history and nature of the Chinese arts from which Okinawan Goju-Ryu has its roots, Sanchin has become little more than an isometric form performed with dangerous tension and improper breathing techniques.

The original Sanchin that Higaonna Sensei learned from RuRuKo (1852-1930) was performed with open hands and with less emphasis on muscle contraction and "energetic" breathing. With the changes brought about by Emperor Meiji (Meiji Restoration Period 1888-1912), Higaonna Sensei changed the open hands to closed fists as the martial meaning was no longer emphasized. Later Miyagi Sensei would again alter the Kata in pattern alone."

My question is 'Is Sanchin dangerous to practice?'

I read that if the breathing drills are done incorrectly it causes internal damage and can reduce or cause premiture death through Rupture arteries etc in the lung/diaphram.

I await your responses and answers to resolve, confirm or squash any myths about this lovely kata practiced by many styles.

Hi, Kuri Tora Ryu. Your question, "Is Sanchin dangerous to practice?" is a very good question. This argument has been going on for a long time. It really all depends on who you talk to. I once performed an experiment where I wore a blood pressure cuff while doing pushups and while performing Sanchin. Well, guess what. My blood pressure was higher while performing pushups than while performing Sanchin kata. And believe me, I wasn't holding back while performing Sanchin kata. People say that the oldtimers died young from performing Sanchin kata. I think this is hogwash. Remember, they simply didn't have the health care and nutrition we have today. Think about it. And investigate further if you have to and make up your own mind. But ultimately, you have to learn to separate the icecream from the bullshit. Good luck.

Carl

This representation that it is dangerous was an attempt of older masters to scare younger students from practicing it or teaching it on their own. Something like; "Dont go swimming after eating."

This was a big concern for me when I first learned Sanchin.

A lot of studies have been done by different groups disproving it since then. Just doing a search on google reveals a few of them.

The more I have found about the history surrounding Kanryo Higaonna the more I think his short life was probably due to poor lifestyle choices than to Sanchin practice.

As far as Chojun Miyagi is concerned, if you consider what living conditions were like in Okinawa and Japan after WW2, it's no wonder he died early himself.

That being said, improper breathing in any physical activity has ill effects.

Best advice, talk to your Sensei if you're concerned.
_
~Will Goodwin

Sanchin is a very healthy internal exercise when properly executed. It should be practiced only by those trained by a qualified teacher. It's value comes in large part by way of the internal organs being pushed correctly into place. The logical conclusion of that is if the internal organs are being pushed incorrectly, then ruptures can result. Sanchin is the essence of Goju Karate in that all Goju Karate are built around that Kata. In any Goju Kata ,Sanchin should be evidenced at least once amongst the sequence of techniques. Sanchin training begins in stages ...the correct breathing is a very important element. It is a "do not try this at home" kata.
Correct execution of Sanchin Kata goes hand - in- hand with correct knuckle pushups.

I disagree with some of this post

I disagree with some of this post

Which portion of the post do you not agree with?

The part about going hand in hand with knuckle push-ups

Why? It was just a comparison about how porper execution and alignment gives you those benefits offered. Fairly simple explanation.

The Sanchin topic popped up back on Feb 16 2005 on the www.lyon-karate.com forum this is a copy.

I thought I would share this with you all as another opinion on Sanchin Kata from Sensei Terry Hill a very well respected 6th Dan from New Zealand who knows what he's talking about and is an excellent Karateka and fighter be it in the Wrestling ring,Boxing ring,Street,Full or Non Contact Karate or Thai Boxing.
Whom I had the pleasere to meet and train with several years ago at one of Sensei Higaonna's Internation Gasshuku's that I attended along with Sensei Ravey.

Terry Hill is referring to the earlier posted article on the T.O.G.K.A. web site
on Sanchin Kata is killing you.

Terry,hi brother.yeah real interesting.I dont agree with all of it but I do with a great deal off it.
Sanchin is widely practiced in china,fukien in particular, by a myrid of styles.some have kicks as well! bellamy is too general in his asuming all are the same as goju

There are geat differences in okinawan versions as well. Uechi Ryu do not have the harsh, constricted breathing.different is not wrong,just different.there are definitely some questions to be asked and truthfully I believe that not many people, Okinawan karate masters included,know them.

Ihave long studied Sanchin and Tensho and have come to some differing opions on how they should be trained and what they are used for.

As an internal strengthening method I swear by it and having fought and defeated a number of leading Thai boxers, I know it works.Sanchin was a mainstay in my training regime back in the days I was fighting.But you are right on brother with everything in moderation as we get older we should cut back.Don't stop! but refine it.
Budo is your own journey,and Graeme and you are definitely on the right track.Say hi to the big fella for me an you guys take care.Train hard and tell Graeme not too kill anyone.all the best bro.yours Terry

p.s Tensho should be done with natural breathing. Ju (SOFT)

It is great for learning to tighten and loosen muscle groups in sequence, just take is easy and relax while doing it

Tight muscles relaxed breathing, I think that is the lesson

I always heard as well that it was dangerous and killed x amount of people...blah blah blah

It was NOT designed to make you so tight that people could break a bunch or boards on your arms.. although I have seen this many times in demos of this form

No martial art done correclty was designed to have you be so rigid that you could take a blow directly..the idea was to be loose and move

....to be able to "take a punch" .......wrong idea

It was designed to help you relax. not be tight

Proper Sanchin training will teach you how to "take a punch" right idea.
Sanchin kata is not teaching you how to "relax" wrong idea.

simple, but nicely worded

Hello all
I think I may be responsible for some of this. Last year 'Martial Arts Illustrated' published an article by myself on the dangers of INCORRECTLY performing Sanchin Kata. Note the focus of the article is on the dangers and not the benefits of Sanchin. I'm a Goju Ryu 5th Dan and love Sanchin and try to do it on a daily basis. Sanchin is a fantastic exercise and has tremendous benefits, so I'm not knocking Sanchin, or being negative. The article is on the Goju Ryu.net web site, follow the link below.
[URL=http://www.gojuryu.net/articles.php?article_id=153]

Andy

Thanks for your post andym I will have a read of the article.